CHL Colorado Eagles

Pankewicz, Laplante Push Eagles to 3-0 Series Lead

Published on April 1, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Colorado Eagles took a 3-0 series lead on the Youngstown SteelHounds for the second consecutive year with a 4-1 victory in the Northern Conference Semi-Finals. Sebastien Laplante stopped 24 of 25 Youngstown shots and Greg Pankewicz notched three points (2-1-3) en route to the road win.

The Eagles and SteelHounds exchanged power-play goals and six shots aside in a quick-moving first period. Colorado got on the board first, scoring at 10:08 to move their power-play percentage in the series to 37.5 percent (6-15). Seth Leonard, skating toward the endboards through the right-wing circle, backhanded a pass through the low slot to Scott Polaski who slammed the puck home from the back door. Youngstown answered just over five minutes later on their own man-advantage chance when Chris Richards walked out of a scrum in the corner with the puck and beat Laplante top shelf with a shot from low in the left circle. The power-play goal was just the third in 22 chances for the SteelHounds in the series.

Colorado took a 2-1 lead in the second when Pankewicz scored his third goal in as many games 2:56 into the period. Pankewicz got a pass from Aaron Schneekloth in the neutral zone and scooted into the SteelHounds' zone before unleashing a shot past Andy Franck from the right circle. The shot was reminiscent the captain's goal in Game Six of last year's Cup-clinching series against Laredo and proved why Pankewicz came in second in this year's Best of the Best voting for "Hardest Shooter." Youngstown was able to keep the Eagles off the board the rest of the period thanks to some stellar penalty-killing, including a 5-on-3 chance midway through.

The Eagles stretched their lead to 3-1 with their second power-play tally of the night at 7:22 of the third when Pankewicz faked a shot and then sent a pass across the ice to Riley Nelson in the right circle. The goal was the first of the series for the Eagles' all-time leading scorer against the 'Hounds. Pankewicz then put the game away with his second goal of the night into an empty net; the short-handed marker came as Youngstown played up two men in the waning minutes of the match.

Colorado will look to close out the series with a sweep on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 EST (5:05 MST). The Eagles are 2-0 in their playoff history when taking a 3-0 series lead.

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